Okay- before I get down to anything- how AWESOME was last night's finale! Absolutely brilliant!
Right, now that I've got that out of my system (sort of) I hope you enjoy today's chapter. If you do (or even if you don't) then please review and let me know- every one helps :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin
Chapter Eight
Rosalind sat in her brother's chambers, tapping one foot impatiently. She still couldn't believe Alan's incompetence had forced her to extend her stay. She honestly hadn't expected this to take so long- how hard could it be to simply murder the two most powerful men in the kingdom? Mind you- he had always been a bit of a disappointment to her.
She was just taking a sip of wine from the goblet in her hand when the door opened and Alan entered, tearing off his gauntlets. He nodded to acknowledge her presence.
"Rosalind."
"You're late."
He groaned. "I know. I'm sorry- that stupid Prince had us practising all sorts of ridiculous manoeuvres."
"Fine then. I forgive you." She was in a gracious mood.
Alan heaved a sigh of relief- he had faced his sister's anger many times in the past, and had no desire to do so again. He still bore some of the scars from the time he had accidentally torn the hem of her favourite dress. "Have you been enjoying yourself?"
She snorted. "Hardly. Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to keep up that ridiculous façade each time I go out in public? Not to mention the simpering act I am forced to put on each time that blockheaded blond boor is anywhere near. I spend most of my time fighting back the urge to throw up."
"I am most sorry Rosalind- it is all my fault for not managing to prevent Merlin from coming with us the other day. I will try harder next time- you won't have to put up with it for long."
"I should hope not- for your sake as much as mine. If we fail next time because of your stupidity I will not be held liable for the consequences."
Alan couldn't quite prevent himself from cringing at the thought. "Have you decided on our next method?"
"Of course! As we can't very well use the same method again…" Rosalind shot a glare at her brother- as far as she was concerned, it was his fault that they were even in this situation at all. "I have decided to try for a more subtle approach. I will find a way to get close to Arthur- attempt to get him alone and away from that pest of a servant boy. All we need to do is find a suitable way to kill him when I have done so without incriminating ourselves. Once he is dead, and the King's heart is broken, we can find a way to rid ourselves of the biggest pest of all- that moron Uther."
The Knight refrained from pointing out that this was no more of a plan than they already had, and provided no help to the pair whatsoever, choosing instead to simply incline his head toward his sister. It looked like it would fall to him to actually determine the best method of wiping the two out. That didn't matter though- as long as Rosalind believed it to be her own plan then he wouldn't be forced to go through her punishments once again. His sister could be most… inventive when she wanted to.
Both Merlin and Arthur were exhausted. Shortly after training had ended, and the young warlock had removed his master's armour, the two had been walking around the castle so that Arthur could do one of his customary checks to make sure the guards were all in their positions, when they were greeted part way by an enthusiastic Rosalind. She had followed the Prince around for two hours, pestering him with questions about what he was doing at that moment, what he usually did, what he was going to do later, and much more. But not only did Arthur have to put up with this seemingly endless stream of questions (with Merlin behind them getting more and more fidgety), he was also constantly being reminded by the girl of how manly and attractive he was. Apparently, he was her 'exact type'.
By the time they finally managed to escape her and make their way back to the Prince's chambers, it was all Arthur could do to simply remove his boots before collapsing face-first onto the bed. Merlin found his reprieve by leaning wearily back against the door.
"I swear," said Arthur, lifting his head just high enough that his voice wasn't entirely muffled by pillows, "if I have to spend five more minutes with that girl prattling away in my ear, I may just lose my mind."
"It'd be kind of hard," muttered Merlin cheekily, "seeing as you don't have much of one to begin with."
Arthur just glared at him, too drained to even throw a pillow. "You know what Merlin?"
"What?"
"One of these days, you'll realise that you really can't speak to me like that."
"Well, I guess I'll just have to get as much fun out of it as possible until then." This remark was promptly followed by another round of glaring. It ended with Arthur flipping over onto his back.
"Do you think she's doing it on purpose?"
"Do I think who's doing what on purpose?"
"Rosalind. Being that annoying."
Merlin paused before answering. What was he supposed to say? Yes, she's doing it on purpose- her actual plan is to try and kill you. Arthur would either think he was joking, or else that he was even more of a dunce than the Prince had originally thought.
"I really couldn't say."
"You really are no help at all are you?"
"Now I wouldn't say that- I already helped today. In a big way."
Arthur propped himself up on his elbows, shooting Merlin a disbelieving look. "How on earth did you help? All you did was walk behind us the whole time."
"Precisely- just think of what might have happened if I hadn't been there- she could have pounced on you."
Arthur couldn't help but shudder at the thought. "Fair enough. I have a new order for you."
Merlin looked at his friend apprehensively. "What?"
"You are never-" Arthur pointed a finger at his servant, "-and I mean never to leave me alone with that girl."
The servant in question grinned in reply. "Got it. Never leave you alone with the scary girl." Works out just fine for me- at least that way she won't get a chance to try anything funny.
"Good."
A thought crossed Merlin's mind. "One question."
"What?"
"How are you going to manage tomorrow?"
"What do you mean how am I…" Arthur paused, realisation dawning. He grinned at his friend. "Oh, you mean while you're out with your friend?"
The young warlock tried not to look embarrassed. Tried. And failed. "Mm-hmm."
"You needn't worry Merlin, I'll just stay in here while you're out with your little lady-friend. I still have plenty of paperwork to do." He paused, before continuing to himself under his breath. "Never thought the day would come that I would actually prefer paperwork to seeing a girl."
Merlin just nodded- at least that tied up one loose end.
"Well then, if you'll just excuse me for a moment, I'll go and fetch a dinner fit for a royal prat." Leaving before Arthur could reply, he didn't see Arthur's indignant expression change to a more good-natured one. He may enjoy teasing Merlin about it, but truth-be-told he was actually glad that he had managed to find himself a girl. He'd never actually seen Merlin talking to any women his own age for long- apart, of course, from Guinevere or Morgana, both of whom were more like friends.
He frowned slightly- remembering that, for some reason, there seemed to have been a distance between Merlin and Morgana of late. This thought was quickly shrugged off though- the two had probably just had some minor falling out. Nothing to worry about.
Okay. I've been wanting to say this ever since I thought up this chapter, so here goes- I HATE ROSALIND! I honestly never thought I could hate one of my own characters as much as I do her. She bugs me so much. I even started feeling sorry for Alan! I am eternally grateful I don't know anyone as mean and twisted as she is. Grrrrrr!
